This tour will take place in the prime summer wildlife viewing season, you’ll experience the incredibly rich of flora, fauna and geology of the region. The tour kicks off in spectacular style with a flight over the Ksudach volcano, followed by several days observing the salmon fishing bears of Kurilskoye Lake in the Kronotsky Reserve. We plan a helicopter landing at the crater of the Mutnovsky volcano before heading further north to see the new lava cones of Tolbachik volcano in Klyuchevskoy Nature Park. We’ll also spend time in the settlement of Esso, staying overnight with nomadic reindeer herders in their summer camp in the mountains.

Day 1:Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky city tour

Meet and greet at the Petropavlovsk airport. After a comprehensive city tour, check into the city hotel and rest before the great adventure ahead!

Day 2:Ksudach volcano by helicopter

Flight by MI-8 helicopter to Kurilskoye Lake, with a stopover at the Ksudach Volcano for a short walk and bathing in the hot springs.

Days 3-4:Kurilskoye Lake: brown bears watching

Kurilskoye Lake is without a doubt one of the best places on earth to spot and photograph brown bears in their natural habitat, so the next two days is devoted to observing these mighty mammals as they hunt the salmon that gather here in their millions during the summer months.

Day 5:Flight over Mutnovsky volcano

Evening helicopter flight back to Petropavlovsk. Stop for a bathe in the thermal hot water of the Khodutka River. Fly over caldera of Mutnovsky active volcano for taking stunning pictures.

Day 6:Valley of Geysers (optional)

Today the choice is yours to either enjoy free day exploring Petropavlovsk at your leisure, or join an optional scenic helicopter flight to the World Heritage site of the Valley of the Geysers and the crater of the mighty Uzon volcano.

Day 7:Kluchevsky Nature Park

Today we embark on a full day drive to Kluchevsky Nature Park. In the evening we will reach Kozyrevsk settlement, here we stay for a night in a very simple but cozy wooden cabins.

Day 8:Tolbachik volcano

On arrival we set up our base camp at the foot of Tolbachik volcano. Relaxing and enjoying wilderness in the area.

Days 9:Lava fields and dead forest

Stroll above Tolbachik's solid lava flows of 2012-2013 eruptions, lava formed various beautiful shapes, many slag cones around, moon-like sceneries. We also visit the "Dead Forest" - area was destroyed by ash clouds in 1975.

Day 10:Esso village

Transfer to the settlement of Esso, home to the Evens, one of the 4 indigenous peoples of Kamchatka. Enjoy a folklore performance of a local dance group.

Day 11/12: Reindeer herders

Helicopter fight to the camp of Evens reindeer herders, where we will stay in a base camp for overnight. On the second day we will return to Esso village.

Day 13:Return to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky

Return by the same road back to Petropavlovsk with a stopover in Milkovo.

Day 14:Avacha bay cruise (optional)

We’ll enjoy the day cruising and discovering the wildlife-rich waters of the Avacha bay, visitng Starichkov Island - the incredible birds colony.

Day 15:Departure

It's time to say goodbye to Kamchatka! Transfer to the airport for your departure back home.

Inclusions

Accommodation

“Petropavlovsk” hotel in the city (5 nights)

“Paramushir tour” hotel in Esso village (2 nights)

wooden lodge on Kuril Lake (3 nights)

wooden cabins in Kozyrevsk (1 night)

base camp at the slope of Tolbachik volcano (2 nights)

camp in the reindeer herders location (1 night)

Meals

All meals during the tour

Transportation

All transportation on tour according to the itinerary (coach, 6WD truck-bus, helicopters, boats)

Guides

Local English-speaking guide, helper, chef, experienced drivers

Activities and sights

All activities indicated in the itinerary:

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatksy city tour

Brown bears watching on Kurilskoye Lake

Tolbachik volcano trekking: dead forest and lava fields

Cultural immersion: folk show in Esso village

Visit the reindeer herders camp

Other

Kuril Lake photography fees

Permits in Kluchevksy Nature Park and Kronotsky Reserve

Russian visa support documents

*Russian visa can be arranged by 56th Parallel for an additional cost (for Australian citizens only). Apply for comprehensive visa service here.